Latvian youth group ALIAS to perform concerts in Washington, DC

The Ambassador of Latvia Andris Teikmanis has invited a Latvian youth group Alias from the Riga Raiņa Evening Secondary School for the deaf and hearing to visit Washington DC in the end of October to perform several free concerts open to all.

Students and graduates together with their teachers create a new form of artistic expression where each musical phrase is followed synchronously by an emotional recital to music in sign language, thus setting an untraditional interpretation of pieces through rhythm, dance, movement, music and gestures.

The group has received numerous awards and recognition, taken part in the Latvian Song and Dance Festival, and performed in Moscow and London. The achievements of the group also demonstrate the excellence and contribution of youth with special needs presenting Latvia internationally.

On October 24 at 4.00 pm Alias will take part in the opening of a photo exhibition of a Latvian photographer Andris Zēgners “Amber – Sun Stone” at the Washburn Arts Building at Gallaudet University. The opening of the exhibition, a small concert and a reception is a free and open event to everyone. The exhibition will remain open until November 7 (Mondays-Fridays, 9.00 am-4.00 pm).

On October 26 at Montgomery College Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus (4141, 7600 Takoma Ave, Takoma Park, MD) the group will perform a concert for the general public from 7.00 pm to 8.00 pm.

On October 27, Alias youth will visit and perform a concert at the Children’s National Hospital (111 Michigan Ave NW, Washington DC) from 11.00 am to 12.00 noon.

On October 28 at 11.00 am everyone is welcome to attend a special youth service (in Latvian) at the Latvian Evangelical Lutheran of Washington, DC (400 Hurley Avenue, Rockville, MD) with the participation of Alias.

The highlight of the visit will be Alias’ performance on the Millenium Stage at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on October 30 from 6.00 to 7.00 pm. The concert is free and open to all and it will also be broadcast online on the website of the Kennedy Center.

The tour is also part of the annual Kids Euro Festival organized by the EU Delegation to the U.S. and the EU Member States.

Special thanks goes to the sponsors and partners of the tour: the Rīga City Council, Baltic Children's Foundation (Baltijas bērnu fonds), the European Union Delegation to the United States, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Gallaudet University, Children's National Hospital, Montgomery College Takoma Park/Silver Spring, the Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church of Washington, DC.

***

Latvia celebrates its centennial in 2018 in the period of several years – 2017 to 2021. The main message of the celebration is “I am Latvia” emphasizing that the greatest asset of Latvia is its people who with their work are creating present day Latvia and together with the next generation are setting the foundation for the future. The visit and concerts of the Latvian youth group Alias to Washington, DC is part of the public diplomacy program of Latvia’s centennial.